Katihar: A massive fire broke out late Sunday night in Haat Bazaar located in Kursela block of Katihar district after an LPG cylinder reportedly exploded at a hotel. More than 500 shops were gutted in the blaze, with traders estimating losses of nearly Rs 10 crore.
According to local residents, the fire started after a cylinder blast at a hotel around 7 pm. Within minutes, the flames spread rapidly, taking a fierce turn and engulfing the busy market area. The blaze was so intense that flames were visible from nearly two kilometres away, while thick smoke caused breathing difficulties among people in the vicinity.
Shops dealing in clothes, spices, grocery items and several roadside stalls were reduced to ashes. Locals initially tried to control the fire using buckets and water pipes, but the flames were too strong to contain.
Fire brigade teams managed to bring the fire under control after nearly six hours of continuous efforts. No casualties have been reported so far.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and chaos. Vinod Thakur, who was present at the time of the incident, said multiple cylinders were exploding and the flames were so intense that people feared for their lives. “Not a single shop in the haat has survived,” he claimed.
Cloth merchant Anil Kumar said he had no idea how the fire started. “My entire shop was reduced to ashes before my eyes. We could do nothing,” he said.
Vegetable seller Vivek said the flames were so severe that people abandoned their shops and ran for safety. “It was impossible to understand what was happening,” he added.
Local trader Chandan Kumar Sah said the explosion occurred at a hotel around 7 pm, triggering panic in the area. “When we stepped out of our shops, we saw a massive fire spreading rapidly,” he said.
Another eyewitness, Rajesh Kumar, claimed that more than 500 shops were affected and alleged that only a small fire tender initially reached the spot. He estimated the loss at around Rs 10 crore.
Residents expressed anger over the delay in the arrival of fire services. According to locals, although the fire brigade was informed immediately, a small fire engine reached the spot nearly an hour later and faced difficulty entering the narrow lanes of the market, delaying firefighting operations.
Janata Dal (United) MLA Vijay Singh Nishad reached the site after receiving information about the incident. He said he spoke to District Magistrate Ashutosh Dwivedi and instructed officials to take necessary steps to control the fire and provide assistance.
Officials at the scene confirmed that the fire has now been brought under control. They said narrow access roads hampered the movement of fire tenders and assured that steps would be taken to clear the route in the future.
Police personnel and ambulances were deployed at the spot. Authorities said a survey is being conducted to assess the exact number of shops damaged and determine the extent of financial losses suffered by traders. Electricity supply was cut during the night to prevent any further short circuit incidents. Power department officials are expected to inspect the area before restoring supply.
